Washing machine



May 5, 1 925. 1,536,050

' A. w. ALTORFER WASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 12, 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 7%INYEHTDE.

MIIY May 5, 1925. 1,536,050

A. W. ALTORFER WASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 12, 1923 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTDE.

@ZZW%WF BAT-r? A. W. ALTORFER May 5, 1925. 1,536,050

WASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 12, 1923 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVERTER...

W'II I' May 5, 1925.

A. W. ALTORFER WASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 12, 1923 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 rIIIII INYENTDFE...

May 5, 1925. 1,536,050

A. w. ALTORFER WASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 12, 1923 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 IIH IHYEHTDR;

May 5, 1925.

A. W. ALTORFER WASHING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 12, 1923 INSZ'ENTUH- May 5, 1925.

A. W. ALTORF'ER WASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 12, 1923 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 I II I INVERTER- May 5, 1925.

A. W. ALTORFER WASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 12, 1923 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented May 5, 1925.

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALPHEUS W. ALTORFER, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 ALTORFER BROS. GOM- PANY,.O F EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

WASHING MACHINE.

. Application filed December 12, 1923. Serial No. 680,163.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALPHEUs W. ALTORFER, a citizen of the United States, aresident of Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Washing Machines, of which the following isa speclfica'tion.

This invention has reference to washing machines and particularly to that type of machine intended for domestic or household use, and it has for itsprincipal object to improve that type of vacuum cup machines which provide some means for reciprocatin the shaft 'on which the cups are mounte and which also provide a means for-displacing the cups during such reciprocation of the shaft, whereby the cups may be brought into contact with all ortions of the clothes and other materials uring the successive reciprocations of the shaft.

In the development of this type of machine Schoregge, Patent No. 825,939 dated July 17, 1906, discloses a reciprocally arran (1 shaft passing up through-the bottom of t e tub or container and rotatable loosely thereon is a collar having radially arranged cup supporting arms from the ends of which depend cups so shaped that the water acting thereon will tend to push or impel the cups and cause the same, together with their supporting arms and collar, to be revolved about the shaft. This, in effect, gives an impositive movement to the cups so in case the clothes within the tub or container becomes wrapped around the shaft, such resistance will overcome the action of the water on the cups, with the result that the cups and supporting arms will not be rotated, although the shaft may continue to be reoiprocated. The cups will again resume their rotary movement when such resistance is removed.

Zuill, Patent No. 1,021,498 dated March 26, 1912, discloses a reciprocally arranged shaft passing up through the bottom of the machine with cups suspended from arms connected with the upper end of said shaft. Zuill provides a ratchet and pawl mechanism for imparting a step by step movement to the shaft for intermittently rotating the shaft and cups, as the shaft is reciprocated,

so as to brin the cups into contact with all portions of t e clothes during each complete rotation of the shaft. Wrapping and entangling of the clothes is common in machines of this-type and'cannot be revented.

Adams, Patent No. 1,406,137 ated Februa-ry7, 1922, discloses a reciprocally arranged carrier to the upper end of which.

tion to rotate the carrier and cups when the piston and sleeve are raised and turned through the action of the pin in the slot of the'sleeve. Inthe event clothes within the tub become wrapped around the carrier, or otherwise become entangled, such resistance Will overcome the pressure of the'spring, with the result that the clutch will slip and the carrier and cups will not be rotated.

-\Vl1en such resistance is removed the clutch members will automatically act toimpart a rotary movement to the carrier and cups.

Graver, Patent Nos. 1,456,052 and 1,456,053 dated May 22, 1923, disclose a further development and wherein a vertically disposed reciprocal shaft extends through the bottom of the tub and an impositive connection, in the form of clutch members is provided between the shaft and the driving mechanism.

The cups being carried by arms connected to the upper end of the shaft are compelled, at all times, to rotate with the shaft when the clutch members act to impart rotary movement tothe shaft. The clutch members in this arrangement are included in the supporting means for the shaft, and. the ar-- rangement of the clutch members is such that if the clothes should become wrapped around the shaft, or if for any-other reason the rotary movement of the cups is opposed to an unusual degree they will stop rotating until the opposition ceases. In all such impositive'drives for rotating the cups they operate substantially silently, avoiding the click present in ratchet and pawl type machines.

From the foregoing it is apparent, that with the exception of Schoregge, the types disclosed each rotate the shaft to impart rotary movement to the cups and Schoregge rotates his cups around the shaft caused by pressure exerted by the water upon peculiarly shaped cups. Each of the impositive driving types referred to have the same faulty construction and that is the drive for the cups is located at a point removed from the point where the application of power should be made.

In my improved construction the cup sup porting shaft is carried up through the bottom of the tub and the mechanism which imparts reciprocal movement thereto is also arranged to alternately rock the shaft back and forth during each reciprocation of said shaft; the rocking of the shaft in one direction being perceptible at or about the time the cu s are lifted out of the Water, and although t e cup supporting arms are free to be rotated loosely around the upper end of the shaft, the rocking of the shaft will tend to move the cu 5 around therewith, the distance of travel 0 the cups depending on working conditions within the tub. On the downward stroke of the shaft, the reverse rocking movement imparted thereto will tend to' kick the shaft away from the cups and even though there may be a slight kick back of the cups, said cups will enter the water and be held against any rotary movement during the pounding action. Thus as the shaft is reciprocated and rocked back and forth the cups will be impositively rotated so as to bring the cups into contact with all portions of the clothes during the washing operation. Such construction, also presents the advantage that if theclothes should become wrapped around the shaft or if for any other reason the rotary movement of the cups is opposed they will stop rotating until the opposition ceases. Furthermore, the attendant may stop the rotary movement of the cups, at will, or spin the arms on the shaft-without any danger of disarrangement of parts or stopping the reciprocation and rocking of the shaft or the mechanism for actuating the same. With 7 my improved structure for impositively rotating the cups 1 do away with all clutch members, thereby simplifying the structure and reducing the cost and the arms may be arranged so that they are removable from the shaft. Furthermore, I am enabled to time the rotation of the cups so that such rotation may occur at or about the time the cups leave the water and thus insure the displacing of the cups just before the downward or pounding movement starts and not be forced to rely on a movement which may depend for its action on gravity or the application of spring pressure such as is the case in the patents referred to.

rssaoso Other objects and aims will more fully appear, such as an evening device for leveling the machine when standing on an uneven floor and to a switch means for controlling the source of power to the motor.

That the invention may be more fully understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which 2- Figure 1 is an elevation partly broken away and partly in section showing a vacuum washing machine embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view partly in section showing the mechanism and machine parts located immediately below the tub;

Figure 3 is a sectional detail as the same would appear on the line 33 Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross-section as the same would appear on the line 4-4; Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a detail of shifting means as the same would appear on the line 55 Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view of the mechanism for reciprocating and rocking the cup shaft, the shaft shown in its lowermost position;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 except that the shaft is shown in its upperm'ost position and the operating mechanism correspondingly located;

Figure 8 is a cross-section, in plan, as the same would appear on the line 88 Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a cross-section, in plan, as the same would appear on the line 99 F igure 7;

Figure 10 is a detail in elevation, partly in section, of parts as they would appear on the line 1010 Figure 6 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 11 is a detail of spring and cage thereforas the same would appear on the line 11-11 Figure 7;

Figure 12 is an enlarged detail in plan of the cup supporting arms and the hub ring by means of which said arms may be fitted to the upper end of the reciprocating and rocking shaft;

Figure 13 is an enlarged detail in elevation, partly in section, showing the manner of attaching the cup supporting arms to be moved freely around the shaft and the means permitting detachment of' the arms from said shaft;

Figure 14 is a vertical sectional detail as the same would appear on the line 14 1t Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a sectional detail as the same would appear on the line 1515 Figure 12;

Figure 16 is a view in elevation showing an evening mechanism arranged to automatically level the machine on an uneven floor;

Figure 17 is a plan view of a base for a machine and my evening mechanism therefor, as the same would appear on the line 17-17 Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a detail in plan, partly in section showing a caster and evener connection;

Figure 19 is a detail in cross-section as the same would appear on the line 1919 Figure 18;

'Figure 20 is a side elevation of the machine, in dotted lines and in full lines showor standards have connected thereto casteruneven floor. The tub or container is supported on a base ring 4 and is provided with a removable lid or cover 5.

Passing up through the base ring and bottom wall of the tub is a reciprocal and rockable shaft 6, a suitable sleeve structure 7 for the shaft upstanding within the tub and having suitable packings at both ends to prevent leakage around its lower end and through the bottom of the tub and at its upperend around the shaft into the'upstanding sleeve. To said shaft, at or near its lower end is secured a collar 8. The pin 9 used for connecting said collar to the shaft extending out from one side thereof, a suitable distance. Below the collar 8 and preferably on the lower end of the shaft is held a sleeve 10 and extending diametrically from opposite sides of said sleeve are trunnions 11 forming or providing a fulcrum for opposite members 12 of a link 13. The opposite ends of the members 12 being connected by a rod 14 which also connects the forward end of a lever 15 with said link. Said lever extends to one side of the machine and is pivoted thereto, at 16 and at its forward end is provided with a projection 17 to which is connected and upstands, at a slight inclination, a finger bar 18 having an opening 19 therethrough, at its upper end through which projects the pin 9, previously referred to. The opening 19 in the finger bar 18 is comparatively larger than the pin 9, as shown for purposes to be explained.

The mechanism for oscillating the lever 15 is best seen in Figures 1 and 2 and comprises a prime mover 20,'prefer'ably in the form of an electric motor, to the shaft of which is connected a pulley wheel 21 op erating a belt 22 which in turn actuates a pulley wheel 23 on a shaft 24:. This shaft is geared by gear wheels 25 and 26 to a two part counter-shaft 27 and 27, the latter section having connected toone end a crank arm 28 which in turn is pivotally connected to a pitman-bar 29 also connected to the lever 15 midway its ends, as shown. Thus it will be observed that when the motor 20 is running motion will be imparted to the two part shaft 27 and 27 through the gearing described, shaft 24 and belt 22 which will reciprocate the pitman bar 29 and oscillate the lever 15. up and down and through said lever, the finger bar 18 and connections to the shaft 6 through the pin 9 will impart a reciprocal and rocking movement to said shaft. Although forming no part of the present invention, the shaft section 27 is provided with a bevel gear wheel 30 meshing with a bevel gear wheel 31 on an upstanding wringer shaft 32 through and by means of which motion may be imparted to the wringer mechanism .33 partially shown in Figure 1'. The shaft sections 27 and 27 a are arranged with clutch members 34 and 3 1* respectively, the former having a spline andgroove connection with the, shaft section 27 to slide thereon and to be moved into and out of clutch engagement with the other clutch member 34% Such move ment is accomplished through a yoke 35 engaging the clutch member 34 to which is connected a lever arm 36 pivoted at 37 and to the forward end of said lever arm is connected a cross shifting bar 38 which extends out to one side of the machine and has coupled thereto an operators rod 39 arranged inan upstanding position on the outside of the tub, see Figures 2 and 20.

On examination of Figures 1, 2, (5 and 7 it will be noted that suitable supports and casings are provided for the motor, gcaring, shafts and other elements constituting the operating mechanism for imparting a reciprocal and rocking movement to the shaft 6, but as to their specific character we are not here concerned, as they may be of any design or character suitable to accomplish the results herein aimed at. It may be found desirable to provide a belt tightener so I have shown an idler wheel 10 hearing against the belt 22 and carried by an arm 41 pivotally connected to the base ring 4, see Figure 1-.

Referring to the cup structure, supporting arms and means for ,connecting the same to the upper endof the shaft 6 to be reciprocated thereby, free to be turned thereon and to be rotated as the shaft 6 is rocked, attention is directed to Figures 1, 12, 13 and 14. To the upper-end of the shaft 6 is secured a. grooved collar 42 preferably rather shallow in depth and therefore provided with a. very narrow base flange 43. On this collar 42 is carried the hub ring 44 from which extend the spaced radially arranged cup supporting arms 45, of which there are preferably three, although two Could be used, if desired. Said hub ring is designed to have rather a snug fit around the collar 42 and to rest on the narrow flange 43 and may be swung around, at the will of the attendant using the machine to displace the cups when inserting or removing clothes or for any other reason. The flange 43 of the grooved collar although very narrow presents an equal bearing around the underside of the hub ring of the cup supporting arms and facilitates in equalizing the lifting of the cups and arms as the shaft is raised and prevents canting of the arms. Bearing in mind that there is a vacuum formed within the cups as they reach the surface of the water and the pull is against the suction created thereby an equalized lift is desirable to prevent any canting which may be caused by an uneven water line due in part to agitation which might prevent all cups leaving the water at the same time. Provision is made to removably attach the hub ring and arms to the grooved collar and comprises a tubular boss 46 extending radially from the hub ring 44 between two of the arms 45 and the end of said boss is provided with a transverse slot 47. Extending through the boss 46 is a plunger rod 48 on the inner end of which is carried an anti-friction roller 49 insertable into and retractible from the groove in the collar 42 and on the outer end of said rod is a knob 50 for operating the rod and passing through the rod is a pin 51. slidable in the slot 47. A spring 52 disposed within the boss 46 and around the rod 48 normally holds the roller 49 in the groove of the collar 42 with the locking pin 51 within the slot 47. To remove the hub ring 44 and cup supporting arms from the collar 42 the attendant will grasp the knob 50 and withdraw the rod 48 which will remove the roller from the grooved collar 42 and also the locking pin 51 from the slot 47 and upon turning the rod 48 and placing the pin 51 cross-wise of the slot 47 and against the end of the boss, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 12, the hub ring and arms may be removed and replaced and again locked in position by simply turning the rod so that the pin 51 will coincide with the slot 47 and permit the spring 52 to act to push the roller into locking relation with the grooved collar.

From the outer end of each arm 45 depends or is suspended a. vacuum cup 52 havmg a yield-able connection with its arm so that when the cups are lowered and engage with an obstruction, such as clothes or other materials which may be in a more compact mass at one point and not at another, the cups may have a full pounding action and equalize themselves to the different conditions within the tub and without unequal pressure and without disturbing or displacing any of the cup reciprocating and rocking means. The preferred structure comprises a cup 52 having connected thereto an open ended sleeve 53 provided with a chamber 54 where it unites with the cup and in the wall of said chamber are provided air and water exit openings 55 and the wall of the cup within the chamber is provided with air and water exit openings 56 normally covered by a plate valve 57 lying loosely within said chamber and over said last mentioned openings. Each arm 45 is preferably provided with a depending open ended sleeve 58 into which telescopes a sleeve 53 and extending through both sleeves and fastened to 58 is a rod 59 encircling which is a coil spring 60 to yieldingly hold the cup in normal position. Such spring will yield to allow the cup to adjust itself as explained, and a second spring 61 on the outerend of the rod 59 acts as a cushion to take up the jar incident to the cup being returned toits normal position by the spring 60.

In Figure l the cups are shown in their uppermost position and above the normal water line, being the position of the shaft 6 reciprocating and rocking mechanism, as disclosed in Figures 1 and 7. When the shaft 6 is in its lowermost position, shown in Figure 6, with the cups submerged in the water within the tub, the pin .9 is approximately in the same horizontal plane with the pivot 16 of the lever 15 and thus it will be seen, illustrated by the. dash and dot lines in Figure 6, that the shaft 6 is raised for a predetermined distance before there is any perceptible rock of the shaft, but as the arc in which the outer end of the lever 15 and the pin 9 move becomes more pronounced and the pin 9 approaches the intersection of a line parallelling the axis of the shaft said shaft has a very perceptible rocking movement, the pin 9 changing from the position shown in Figure 6 to the position shown in 'Figure 7. This movement is due both to the relation of the pin 9 and the pivot 16 of the lever 15 when the shaft '6 is in its lowermost position and also the relatively large opening 19 in the finger bar 18 as compared with the pin 9. The rocking movement imparted to the shaft 6 is so timed in its relation to the lifting of the shaft that the cups are approximately at the top of the water when such rocking is in full swing. In such position of the cups they are clear of any resistance the water may have against rotation of the cup supporting arms on the grooved collar 42 and therefore said arms lllll llll will tend to have rotative movement with and during the rocking of said shaft, but of an impositive character and not always of thc'same distance. In other words working conditions, within the tub and the presence of soap and water at the point of application of the power, to-wit the collar 42 and hub ring 44 will sometimes determine the extent of rotary movement. But whether around the shaft 6 or sleeve? or if for any reason the rotation of the cups is opposed,

as the shaft 6 is rocked, the cups will stop rotating until the opposition ceases. Also the attachment of the arms 45 to the collar 42 is such that an attendant may hold them against rotation or displace them without effort and without disturbing operative parts, or being compelled to rotate any of the operating mechanism when the power is off and it is desired to displace the cups, without removing the same, to provide for the convenient and easy filling of the tub. On the down stroke of the shaft 6 the reverse rocking movement of the shaft starts fast and slows down as the pin 9 approaches the horizontal level of the pivot 16 of the operating lever 15. In this way there is a slight tendency to a kickback of the cups but of a very limited ch'aracter because the down movement of the shaft is but a short distance before the cups reach the water, retarding any rotative movement of said cups, due to the rather loose connection of the supporting off, I provide a spring 62 carried on the lower end of a rod 63 suspended from the base ring l: and housed within a cage 64: connected to the operating lever 15. When the lever 15 is moved to pull the shaft 6 down to its lowermost position, as shown in Figure 6 the spring 62 is compressed, and should the parts approximate this ositlon when the power is turned off it will e readily seen that thesprin'g will act to lift the lever 15 and raise the shaft 6 and cups 52. The crank-arm 28 and pitm'an bar 29 may stop ondead center, which is hardly likely, but if they do, the attendant can by applying slight pressure on the arm 45 turn said arms and shaft 6 a slight distance, when spring 62 will act as indicated. Insuring the return of the cups to normal raised position access may easily be had to the clothes or other material by moving the arms 45' around on the shaft to displace the cups, or the arms and cups removed as previously explained.

One of the important results obtained through the rocking of the shaft as it is reciprocated, is to obviate the danger of leak age of water through the packing or stufiing boxes for the shaft, which commonly occurs with a shaft which reciprocates only and which scores the packing. Such scoring, if any by a reciprocal and rocking shaft is smoothed out by the rocking movement of theshaft.

The control means for the motor 20 comprises a switch box 65 attached to the machine at a suitable point, preferably to the base ring 4L at a point near the motor, such box being wired to the motor and having a lead wire for attachment to a. lamp socket. Said switch box may contain a knife switch, such as in Figure 21 to be operated by a push and pull rod 66 connected with an operating arm .67 of the switch, or contain a ratchet and pawl, such as in Figure 22 to be operated by a push rod 68 connected. with an operating arm 69 of the switch. Both said rods would be journaled in an upstanding position on the outside of the tub and have a button 70 at their upper end to be gripped by an attendant when it is desired to operate such rods. A spring 71 on the rod 68 returns it to operative position after each operation. An arrangement of either of the types shown .in Figures 21 and 22 provides a convenient and easy control for an attendant for stopping and starting the motor. I

The evener for automatically leveling the machine on an uneven floor or base is best seen in Figures 16 to 18. The machine be ing provided with four legs or standards 2, two of said legs may have casters 3 secured to their lower ends, the remaining two legs being provided with casters 3 the brackets 72 of which are preferably provided with vertically disposed sockets 73 opening out of the upper ends thereof and adapted to receive and have a telescopic relation with the lower ends of the legs, as best seen in Figure 19. Also, said socketed brackets are each provided with laterally extended plates 74 and connected to said plates is a flexible strip or bar 7 5 to the center portion of which is secured a bracket 76 arranged to have a pivotal connection to a suitable frame part of the machine. It will thus be apparent that as the machine is moved over an uneven floor the flexible strip or bar 7 5 will yield allowing the socketed brackets to have a slidable relation with the legs 2 and automatically level the machine.

The evening or equalizing means has been preferably shown associated with a maother types of washing machines.

lVhat I claim is 1. In a washing machine, a, container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the container, washing elements supported from the upper end of said shaft and arranged to be impositively rotated thereby, and means for reciprocating said shaft and for simultaneously rocking said shaft alternately in opposite directions.

2. In a washing machine, a container," a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the container, washing elements supported from the upper end of said shaft and arranged to be impositively rotated thereby, and means including a crank and lever connection for reciprocating said shaft and for simultaneously rocking said shaft alternately in opposite directions.

3. In a washing machine, a container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the container, washing elements supported from the upper end of said shaft and arranged to be impositively rotated thereby, a motor, a crank operated by said motor, and connections between said crank and shaft including a lever for reciprocating said shaft and for simultaneously rocking said shaft alternately in opposite directions.

4. In a washing machine, a container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the container, washing elements including a frame supported to be swung freely about the upper end of saidshaft and to have an impositive rotary movement imparted thereto through said shaft, and means for reciprocating said shaft and for simultaneously rocking said shaft alternately in opposite directions;

5. In a washing machine, a container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the-container, washing elements including a frame supported to be swung freely about the upper end of said shaft and to have an impositive rotary movement imparted thereto through said shaft, and means including a crank and lever connection for reciprocat ing said shaft and for simultaneously rocking said shaft alternately in opposite directions.

6. In a washing machine, a container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the container, washing elements including a frame supported to be swung freely about the upper end of said shaft and to have an impositive rotary movement imparted thereto through said shaft, a motor, a crank operated by said motor, and connections between said crank and shaft including a lever for reciprocating said shaft and for simultaneously rocking said shaft alternately in opposit directions.

7. Ina washing machine, a container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the container, Washing elements including a frame supported to be swung freely about the upper end of said shaft and to have an impositive rotary movement imparted thereto through said shaft, means for removably latching said frame to the shaft, and means for reciprocating said shaft and for simultaneously rocking said shaft alternately in opposite directions.

8. In a washing machine, a container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the container, a grooved collar secured to the upper end of said shaft, washing elements including a frame supported to be swung freely on said collar and to have an impositive rotary movement imparted thereto through said shaft, means complementary to the groove of the collar for removably latching said frame to said collar, and means for reciprocating said shaft and for simultaneously rocking said shaft alternately in opposite directions.

9. In a washing machine, a container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the container, washing elements including a frame supported to be swung frecly about the upper end of said shaft and to have an impositive rotary movement imparted thereto through said shaft, and means for reciprocating said shaft and for simultaneously rocking said shaft alternately in opposite directions, including a lever, a sleeve connection between the lever and lower end of said shaft, and a connection between said lever and a collar fast to the lower end of said shaft.

10. In a washin machine, a container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the container, washing elements supported from the upper end of said shaft, a lever means and connections between said lever means and said shaft for reciprocating said shaft and for simultaneously rocking. said shaft alternately in opposite directions, said lever means and connections being so arranged that said shaft is reciprocated for a short distance in one direction before there is any perceptible rocking of the shaft and the rocking movement being so timed in relation to the reciprocation of the shaft that the washing elements are approximately out of the water by the time the rocking movement of the shaft is in full swing.

11. Ina washing machine, a container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the container, washing elements ineluding a frame supported to be swung free ly about the upper end of said shaft and to have an impositive rotary movement imparted thereto through said shaft, and means for reciprocating said shaft and for simultaneously rocking said shaft alternately in opposite directions, the timing of said rocking movement in relation to the reciprocation of said shaft in one direction is such that the reciprocation precedes the rocking movement, whereby the cups are approximately clear of the water before the impositive rotary movement is imparted thereto.

12. In a washing machine, a container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the container, washing elements including a frame supported to be swung freely about the upper end of said shaft and to have an impositive rotary movement imparted thereto through said shaft, an operating shaft, means controlling the operation of said shaft, a crank and lever connection with said shaft, a sleeve on the lower end of said shaft, meanspivotally connecting the lever and said sleeve for imparting reciprocal movement to said shaft, a collar fast on the lower end of said shaft, a pin securing the collar to said shaft and extending out therefrom, and a finger bar connection between said lever and said pin for impart ing an alternating rocking movement to said shaft simultaneously as the shaft is reciprocated.

13. In a washing machine, a container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the container, washing elements including a frame supported to be swung freely about the upper end of said shaft and to have an impositive rotary movement imparted thereto through said shaft, means for reciprocating said shaft and for simulta neously rocking said shaft alternately in opposite directions, and means to restore the washing elements above the water line on the stoppage of said reciprocating and rocking means.

14. In a washing machine, a container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the container, means connected with the lower end of said shaft for reciproeat ing the same, a grooved collar secured to the upper end of the shaft, washing elements including a frame supported to be swung freely about said collar, and means for rcmovably latching said frame to said collar.

15. In a washing machine, a container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the container, means connected with the lower end of said shaft for reciprocating the same, a grooved collar secured to the upper end of the shaft and provided with a base flange, washing elements including a frame supported to be swung freely about said collar and above said flange, and

latching means on the frame adapted to enter the groove of the collar for removably securing said frame on said collar.

16. In a washing machine, a container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the container, a collar secured to the upper end of said shaft, a frame hav ing a hub ring fitting said collar and sup ported to be swung freely thereon and to have an impositive rotary movement imparted thereto through said shaft, a plurality of vacuum cups suspended from said frame, means for reciprocating said shaft, and means connected with said reciprocating means and with said shaft for imparting an alternating rocking movement to said shaft as it is reciprocated.

17. In a washing machine, a container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bot tom of the container, a collar secured to the upper end of said shaft, a frame having a hub ring fitting said collar and supported to be swung freely thereon and to have an impositive rotary movement im parted thereto through said shaft, a plu rality of vacuum cups suspended from said frame, an operating shaft, a crank thereon, a lever fulcrumed at one end to one side of the machine, a pitman bar connecting the crank with said lever intermediate its ends, a pivotal connection between the forward end of said lever and said shaft for reciprocating the same, and other connections between the forward end of said lever and said shaft for simultaneously rocking said shaft alternately in opposite directions as it is reciprocated.

18. In a washing machine, a container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the container, a collar secured to the upper end of said shaft, a frame having a hub ring fitting said collar and supported to be swung freely thereon and to have an impositive rotary movement im parted thereto through said shaft, a pluralit-y of vacuum cups suspended from said frame, an operating shaft, a crank thereon, a lever fulcrumed at one end, a pitman bar connecting the crank with said lever intermediate its ends, a connection between said lever and said shaft for alternately rocking said shaft in opposite directions, and connections between said lever and said shaft for reciprocating said shaft it is rocked, said last mentioned connections permitting a free rocking moven'ient of the shaft without disturbing its reciprocating means.

19. In a washing machine, a container, a shaft disposed vertically through the bottom of the container, a collar secured to the upper end of said shaft, a frame supported to be swung freely about said collar and to have an impositive rotary movement imparted thereto through said shaft,

ating connections between said motor and said elements to reciprocate the same, a switch controlling the source of power to the motor, and an operators rod positioned alongside of and in a vertical position on said machine and arranged for operating said switch.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto alfixed my hand this 8th day of December,

ALPHEUS V. ALTORFER. 

